Sunday, December 9, 2012

Taking A Glimpse At What Digital Intermediate Is All About

By Nolan Tornes


Digital Intermediate is a process of mastering a motion picture. It used to be associated with movies that have special effects like sci-fi ones, but these days it is applicable to all sorts of film genres. Also referred to as DI, it's becoming more and more popular because of the many advantages it has compared to the more traditional processing done at a laboratory.

This involves the digitizing of the film, just like what it's called suggests. To become a file stored digitally in a computer, it has to be run through a scanner. The main tool utilized by an editor is a computer rather than the reliance on chemicals and a few other instruments at the lab. Once through, the finished product is then printed back onto film.

One of the many advantages DI offers is it doesn't reduce the film's resolution. In the traditional method, the original negatives resolution has to be downgraded to end up as a projection print. The digitized approach, however, allows the retention of a film's original resolution. In other words, it's an alternative to laboratory processing that is lossless.

Once the frames have been digitized, it can be subjected to a wide variety of editing solutions. Like mentioned earlier, the movie doesn't need to have special effects to enjoy DI. Mastering digitally is flexible, such as in terms of color correction. This method enables the editor to fine tune by the pixel, allowing for the skipping of areas that need no adjustment.

The same is true for lowering or increasing the contrast. Such may be done on certain areas only where the ratio of color luminance has to be fiddled with. DI also allows for the attainment of a more uniform look in terms of lighting. Scenes with varying lighting setup or shot at different times of the day may be edited for the sake of conformity.

Special effects enhancement or addition is definitely a possibility. Even without the use of green screen technique during filming, composting such as the inclusion of scene elements as well as the removal of them may be done. These things that such mastering offers can be done all at the same time, be it throughout the entire film or on select frames only.

One of the cons of Digital Intermediate is the cost that goes with it. However, the price tag can be expected to drop as computers get more and more powerful. Also, the mushrooming of post-production studios can make it more affordable to all, whether big-budgeted movies or independently made ones.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment